Bulk packaging container



July 18, 1 J. D. ELSTON ETAL BULK PACKAGING CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 26, 1958 y 1961 J. D. ELSTON ETAL 2,992,752

BULK PACKAGING CONTAINER Filed May 26, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

United States Patent 2,992,752 BULK PACKAGING CONTAINER Judson D. Elston, Prospect Heights, and Edward S. Kordowski, Chicago, Ill., assignors to General Box Company, Des Pl'aines, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 26, 1958, 'Ser. No. 737,768 l'Claim. (Cl.217-44) This invention pertains to a container and in particular to a container of a substantially cylindrical construction especially suited for useas a pallet box but which may be readily modified for other uses.

Containers for the bulk packaging of goods and materials, such as raw materials, machine parts, and the like, must generally be of an economical construction since they are part of the operating cost of the user. Moreover, in many instances, the container must be easily assembledsince the user generally buys the component parts unassernbled as a matter of convenience and efficiency and assembles them at the point of loading. If the containers are of there-usable type, it is further necessary that they be easily disassembled at the point of unloading so that they can be conveniently stored and transported until ready for use again.

Manufacturers of such containers are constantly endeavoring to design and construct them so that they will meet the above requirements. Most of these containers are generally square or rectangularin shape, particularly when designed for use as pallet boxes. While rectangular containers have been satisfactory in many instances, it is Well known that they have certain disadvantages so as to render them impractical and inefiicient for the handling of bulk materials, machine parts, and the like, that are relatively heavy. For example, it is well known that the Sides of a square orrect'angular box will tend to bow outwardly due to the outward pressure exerted by the contents against the sides of the box. In order to prevent bowing, it is necessary to reinforce the sides of the box withcleat members and/or construct the sides of heavier panel members. Of course, if it is necessary to construct the box of heavier members, the cost and the weightof the box are increased a proportionate amount.

It has been found that if pallet boxes and other containers that are especially adapted for heavy 'bulk materials, machine parts, and the like, are constructed in a substantially circular or cylindrical shape, the weight will be evenly distributed so that the problem is not as criticalas with the square or rectangular containers. In particular, the tendency to bow outwardly may be substantially eliminatedwith a. cylindrical container constructed of a much lighter material than a corresponding rectangular container.

It has also been found that many industries, either by custom or necessity, use cylindrical containers in the bulk packaging of their products, rawmaterials, and the like. Accordingly it is necessary that containers of the cylindrical constructionbe designed so that they meet the requirements of economy and simplicity. Thereforeja foremost feature and object of the invention is to provide a container of a substantially cylindrical construction which is of a simple" and economical construction. 1

Another object of the invention is toprovide a container of a substantially cylindrical constructionwhich is especially-adapted to the handling of bulk materials,

2 use into a compact bundle suitable for storage until further use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a container of a substantially cylindrical construction comprised of relatively light weight materials. in which relatively heavy weight materials may be stored without any buckling or bowing of the container.

Another object of the. invention is to provide a substantially cylindrical container inWhich the wall portion is secured to the base by a novel construction which facilitates the ease of assembly and disassembly.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent upon reading of the specification with reference to the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the container embodying the invention in the form of a pallet box.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the pallet box shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a segmental view in section of the pallet box shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a segmental view of the slat members used in the construction of the container when unassembled to the base.

FIGURE 5 is a segmental view of the slat members similar to FIGURE 4 when assembled to the base.

FIGURE 6 is a side view in elevation of the mat of slat members used in the construction of the container embodying the invention.

FIGURE 7 is a side view in elevation of a modification of the. container embodying the invention when partially assembled.

FIGURE 8 is a side view in elevation of the container shown in FIGURE-7 when completely assembled.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional segmental view in section of the container shown in FIGURE 8.

Although the specification describes the invention in terms of a pallet box, it will be apparent that the invention is equally applicable to other types of bulk pack aging containers. components of the containers described herein may be constructed of varioustypes of materials, such as wood,

fiber board, and the like, except for the various metallic members, as will bedescribed hereinafter. It should also be pointed outthat the terms wires and straps are interchangeable'where used hereinafter, and are contemplated to include all equivalents.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown a cont ainer in the form of a pallet box generally denoted by the'numeral 10. The pallet box is provided with a substantially rectangular base 12 which is supported by the vertical skid members 14. The skid members 14 are further braced by the cross-members 15 as shown in FIG- URE l. Thespac-ing of the skid members 14 is designed to facilitate the entry of the forks of the lift-trucks used for transporting the box 10 and its contents.

An annular channel member 16 is secured to the base 12 as best shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The channel member 16 is comprised of two vertically spaced flanges annular channel to the base 12 by nails, staples, rivets,

or the like, as shown in FIGURE 3.

A cylindrical wall 24 is constructed of a plurality of elongate slat members 26 in its preferred embodiment. The slat members 26are interconnected in an articulate fashion by thewire or strap members 28 secured to the associated slat members'by brads or staples. When the It will be further apparent that the 3 wall 24 is in its disassembled condition, it forms a mat of slat members 26 such as that shown in FIGURE 6. The construction of the mat is such that it may be folded on itself so that the slats form a small compact bundle when not in actual use. It should be pointed out that the slats may be divided into two or three groups so as to form a like number of mats, all of which are used in the construction of the pallet box. The slat members 26 may be in closely spaced relationship or even contiguous if desired when assembled to the base 12. It may be desirable to bevel the slats so as to provide a wall substantially free of any openings, particularly where they are of a relatively heavy construction.

At the bottom of each slat member 26 is an inwardly extending cleat 30, as shown in FIGURE 6. The cleat members 30 extend under the flange 20 of the annular ring 16 so as to secure the mat to the base 12. The cleats 30, while preferably relatively thin, should be of sufiicient thickness to firmly secure the mat to the base 12.

In the preferred embodiment a cleat member 31 is secured to the upper end of each slat member 26. Where the containers 10 are to be stacked, the cleat members 31 should be relatively thick in order to provide sufficient stacking surface at the upper end of the wall 12. Where the cleat members 30 and 31 are relatively thick, it is generally desirable to bevel their ends, as shown in FIG- URES 4 and 5. In this manner there is no binding between the ends of the cleats when the mat 24 is assembled to the annular channel 16 as shown in FIGURE 5.

At the base of the wall 24 on the exterior side there is a steel strap 32 which maintains the cleats 30 in engagement with the flange 20. If the steel strap is tightened a sufiicient amount, the cleat members 30 and the associated slats 26 tend to assume an arcuate cross-section complementary to the annular channel 16. This tendency to assume such an arcuate cross-section depends upon the tightness of the steel strap and the thickness of the slats 26 and the cleat members 30. However, it should be pointed out that the conformity of the slats and the cleat members to the annular channel 16 in the sense that they assume an arcuate cross-sectin is not necessary to the practice of the invention. It should be further explained that the terminology substantially cylindrical is intended to encompass a container having a sufliciently large number of sides, such as that shown in the drawings, so that it has substantially the same characteristics as a truly cylindrical container.

The ends 34 of the wires 28 are intertwisted, when the mat is in its assembled position, to maintain the end slats in substantially touching relationship and complete the construction of the container.

-Referring now to FIGURES 7, 8, 9, there is shown a second form of the container embodying the invention. This modification, by way of example, is shown to be constructed of much lighter weight materials than the embodiment previously described.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, it can be seen that the second modification is provided with a circular base 36 supported by the skid members 37. An annular channel 38 of substantially the same size as the circular base 36 is secured thereto by brad means or the like. As previously described, the annular channel 38 is comprised of two vertically spaced flanges 40, 42, depending in opposite directions from the vertical member 44. In its preferred embodiment the outwardly extending upward flange 40 is in substantial alignment with the periphery of the circular base 36.

The side wall generally denoted by the numeral 46 is constructed of a plurality of elongate slat members 48. The slat members 48 are interconnected in an articulate manner by the wires 50 as best shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. It will be noticed that the ends of the wires 50 are return-bent to form the loops 51, as shown in FIG- URE 8. The slat members 48 may be so spaced that they are in substantially touching relationship when the mat is assembled as shown in FIGURE 8. There should,

however, be sufficient play between adjacent slat members so there is relatively little if any binding between the slat members when they are assembled to the base 36. However, this is not as important a consideration where the slat members are constructed of relatively light weight materials as where they are constructed of heavier materials.

At the bottom of each slat member 48 is an inwardly extending cleat member 52. The cleat members 52 and the slats 48 are adapted to engage the flange 40 in the manner shown in FIGURE 9 In this manner the wall 46 is locked to the base 36 as long as the cleat members 52 are in engaging position. When the cleat members 52 are constructed of light weight materials as shown in the drawings, it is not essential that they be beveled at the ends, as disclosed previously. However, it may be desirable for the cleat members to be slightly shorter in length than the width of the associated slat members 48 to prevent binding.

At the base of the wall 46 is a steel strap 54 which maintains the cleat members 52 in engaging position. When the steel strap 54 is pulled sufficiently tight, the slat members and the associated cleat members assume an arcu-ate cross-section conforming to the annular channel 33. This is particularly true in this embodiment where light weight members are used. The return-bent loops 51 are then pulled taut by the tie loops 53 to maintain the end slats in substantially touching relationship when the mat is in its assembled position, as shown in FIGURE 8.

It may be desirable to place cleat members 56 at or near the upper ends of the slat member 48 as shown in FIGURE 7. 'Such cleat members are particularly advantageous where heavy bulk materials are to be stored in the container and where the containers are to be stacked. The cleat members reinforce the ends when the mat is moved into assembled position so as to minimize any distension of the slat members, and also help provide sufficient stacking surface.

It should be pointed out that various types of lids may be used in conjunction with the two modifications of the invention disclosed herein. One particular type of lid 58 is circular in shape and is provided with a shoulder 60 which is adapted to receive the cleat member 56, as shown in FIGURE 7.

A brief description of the method of assembling the first modification will now be given, although it will be obvious that the description is applicable to both modifications. The mat 24 is first placed on the base member 12 so that the slat members are in substantially vertical position. The mat 24 is then brought into substantial conformity with the annular channel so that the cleat members 30 are in at least partial engagement with the annular channel 16. The steel strap 32 is then placed around the base of the mat .24 and tightened until the cleat members 30 completely engage the annular channel 16. After the ends of the mat are brought into substantially touching relationship, the tie ends 34 are then intertwisted in the manner shown in FIGURE 1, so as to complete the construction.

Although the first embodiment is drawn as being constructed of relatively heavy members and the second embodiment of relatively light members, it is to be understood that size of the members is merely by way of example. The size of the construction members may be varied in each of the embodiments to obtain a container of a desired strength.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that the invention in both modifications meets the standards of economy and simplicity. Furthermore, both modifications may be readily assembled and disassembled at the point of loading and unloading. The individual com ponents when unassembled may be stacked in a small compact bundle which may be conveniently stored and transported until they are to be further used.

Although two preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that these are merely by way of example and in no manner are to be construed as limitations. It is contemplated that certain modifications may be made within the scope of the claim without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

A bulk packaging container comprising a circular base member, an annular channel having vertically spaced horizontal flanges extending in opposite directions from a vertical member and being secured to said base member adjacent to the periphery thereof, the upper horizontal flange extending outwardly from the axial center of said annular channel, a plurality of slat members having their lower ends in abutting relationship with the upper surfaces of said base member and joined in an articulate manner by at least one wire means, means cooperating with said wire means to secure said ends together, cleat members secured to the lower ends of said slat members and engaging under said upper horizontal flange to secure said slat 20 6 members to said base, strap means for holding the bottom of said slat members in engaging relationship with said annular channel, said strap means contacting the peripheral edge of said base member and the lower outer face portions of said slat members, skid mean for vertically supporting said base member to permit the entry of lift truck forks underneath said container, inwardly extending cleat members at the tops of said slat members and a lid means associated with said last named cleat members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,480,718 Fowler Jan. 15, 1924 1,576,834 Larsen Mar. 16, 1926 2,344,861 Fowler Mar. 21, 1944 2,564,940 Weber Aug. 21, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 121,269 Great Britain Dec. 9, 1918 

